Can You Get Full Mouth Dental Implants?
Patients who have lost a significant number of teeth may think the only option is dentures, but advances in dental technology make it possible for patients to have more aesthetically pleasing and more stable full mouth restorations. Dental implants are one of the most comfortable and natural-looking dental restorations and can be used in a number of ways.
Traditional dentures can become ill-fitting overtime due to bone loss and eventually need to be replaced but dental implants actually support bone health and prevent deterioration. The roots of our teeth help stimulate bone regeneration which supports tooth stability and jaw strength but without tooth roots, the osteoblast cells that make up our bone structure take their energy elsewhere because there is nothing to support.
Overtime, bone loss can actually change the appearance of the face and make dentures uncomfortable to wear.
Can you get full mouth dental implants?
Dental implants are not just used to replace one tooth, they can be used to support a multiple-tooth bridge or even full mouth dentures. The procedure for multiple implants is the same as having one implant placed. Your dentist will refer you to a specialist, either an oral surgeon or a periodontist, for an implant evaluation. The doctor will study your x-rays and possibly take a CT scan as well. If you do not have enough bone mass in your jaw, you may need a bone graft before the implants can be placed.
A bone graft is an additional surgery that uses either donor bone, bone taken from another area of the mouth, or even bone taken from the hip, which is then placed into the jaw to provide the necessary support for your implants.
How are full mouth dental implants placed?
To begin, the doctor will administer a local anesthetic at each site where an implant is to be placed. For full mouth restoration, 4 to 8 implants are placed on both the upper and lower arches. A small hole is drilled directly into the jaw bone at each site and an implant is screwed into the bone. An abutment is placed on each implant which allows the restoration to be securely fixed in place. A temporary denture is then fitted over the implants, allowing you to live as normally as possible while the implants heal, which can take up to six months.
Once the implants are healed, your dentist will place your permanent denture!
Good oral hygiene is vital to the success of your full mouth dental implants. Regular visits to your dentist for professional cleanings is important even though you no longer have natural teeth. At your cleanings, they will remove your implant denture so your hygienist can thoroughly clean each implant and the denture before your dentist puts it back on.
Full mouth dental implants can easily last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance. The restoration itself may need to be replaced at some point just due to normal wear and tear. Speak with your dentist if you are interested in full mouth dental implants to learn about the treatment so that together, you can find the best treatment for you!